Initiates of the Ebon Hand MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 39b
1994-11-01 - Number 39a
1994-11-01 - Number 39c
1997-03-24 - Number 169s
1997-03-24 - Number 169
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cleric |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o1: Add o B to your mana pool. Play this ability as an interrupt. If more than o3 is spent in this way during one turn, bury Initiates of the Ebon Hand at end of turn.
Ebon leaders soon realized that non-human races often had special talents that could be exploited.
Cards like Initiates of the Ebon Hand
Initiates of the Ebon Hand holds its unique position within the realm of mana generation in Magic: The Gathering. A historic card by nature, it shares its backbone purpose with cards like Dark Ritual, by offering a burst of black mana, yet it differentiates itself with its creature status and the ability to continuously provide mana at a cost. Unlike Dark Ritual, which is a one-shot spell, Initiates can be used multiple times throughout the game, sacrificing consistency for flexibility.
Another card worth comparing is Blood Pet, a creature with a similar concept of sacrificing for black mana. Blood Pet, however, can only be used once, exchanging longevity for an immediate mana boost without the need for additional mana investment. In contrast, Initiates requires an ongoing supply of colorless mana to fuel its ability, making it potentially more versatile over the length of the game.
In the landscape of MTG, Initiates of the Ebon Hand carves out a niche as a reusable mana source. Its ability to bridge mana gaps and convert colorless mana into black mana across multiple turns sets it apart from the single-use alternatives, adding a layer of strategy for players managing their resources over the course of a match.
Cards similar to Initiates of the Ebon Hand by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Initiates of the Ebon Hand provides a strategic edge by converting any spare mana you have into black mana. This allows you to utilize your resources efficiently and can indirectly contribute to maintaining card advantage via mana flexibility for key spells.
Resource Acceleration: This card excels in resource acceleration, enabling you to tap for an additional black mana. This can be critical in the early to mid-game where casting multiple spells in a turn can put you ahead of the competition.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Initiates of the Ebon Hand grants you the power to generate black mana at instant speed. This enables reactive gameplay, allowing you to adapt to battlefield changes with speed, casting spells or using abilities at the most opportune time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of using Initiates of the Ebon Hand can be the potential need to discard other valuable cards to fulfill requirements for specific abilities or conditions within a gameplay strategy. This could leave players at a disadvantage if they’re already managing a sparse hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Initiates of the Ebon Hand demands black mana, which means it is best suited for mono-black or certain multicolored decks. This specificity restricts the card’s versatility and could be a limiting factor when building a deck where the black mana isn’t as readily available or when optimizing mana base is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Initiates of the Ebon Hand provide certain benefits, they come with a relatively high mana cost considering the advantages they offer. Players may find that other cards in their deck or within the same mana range can contribute more to their game plan or board presence, leading to a more efficient use of resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Initiates of the Ebon Hand can be an asset in numerous deck archetypes, particularly those requiring reliable mana conversion. Its ability to turn any color mana into black mana makes it an essential component in decks that heavily focus on black mana spells or need the flexibility for splash colors.
Combo Potential: The efficiency of Initiates of the Ebon Hand magnifies when paired with cards demanding extensive black mana or in combination with effects that untap creatures, allowing for multiple activations in a single turn. This can enable explosive plays and enhance synergies within combo-driven decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given the cyclic nature of the metagame, Initiates of the Ebon Hand proves its worth in environments where black mana is key for executing game-ending combos or casting high-impact spells. Its low mana cost helps it fit seamlessly into an early game strategy while remaining a useful tool in the later stages of the game.
How to beat
Initiates of the Ebon Hand is a classic card that offers players of Magic: The Gathering a unique mana conversion ability. The card’s strength lies in its capability to transform any type of mana into black mana. This proves instrumental for players needing to swiftly adapt their mana base, particular in multi-colored decks where black mana could be pivotal.
The key to overpowering Initiates of the Ebon Hand lies in hindering its activation. Countering spells or abilities that target it, or removing it from the battlefield before its owner can make use of the mana conversion, can stifle an opponent’s strategy. In addition, employing cards that restrict the abilities of your opponent’s creatures will neutralize the Initiates’ advantage. Lastly, watch out for the cumulative upkeep cost; ensure that your opponent is consistently paying the price or risk giving them an unchecked resource.
Ultimately, when you disrupt the flow of black mana that Initiates of the Ebon Hand could potentially generate, you’re setting up a blockade against an opponent’s strategic maneuvers within MTG, thus tilting the scales in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Initiates of the Ebon Hand MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Initiates of the Ebon Hand and other MTG cards:
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- Card Market
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Printings
The Initiates of the Ebon Hand Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 39b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Liz Danforth | |
| 2 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 39a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 3 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 39c | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 4 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 169s | 1997 | Normal | White | Kaja Foglio | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 169 | 1997 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Initiates of the Ebon Hand has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Initiates of the Ebon Hand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Mana which “changes color” as it goes through the Hand forgets its original source because the old mana gets used up and new mana gets generated. |